"It will not only benefit patients, but also students," he said. "The long standing demand of students and college authorities has finally come true," said MLA (Berhampur) R C Chayaupatnaik.

"Some expensive machines of the college were getting damaged due to frequent power cuts. Now those can be saved," said MKCG Principal A K Dandapat.

Earlier, the state government had asked power distribution companies to ensure dedicated electricity supply to the three medical colleges along with district headquarters hospitals by June-end.

"The MKCG project was delayed as permission was sought from the railways to draw the power line from Narendrapur grid to the sub-station," said executive engineer (Southco) Lenka Prasad.

He said Southco had commenced dedicated power supply to other district headquarters hospitals, except Paralakhemundi in Gajapati district. "Work at Paralakhemundi will be completed soon," said Prasad.

Dedicated power supply has been ensured at City Hospital, Berhampur, Nabarangapur, Koraput, Malkangiri, Phulbani, Boudh and Rayagada hospitals.

Managing director (Southco) B B Sharma said not only for hospitals, the distribution company was also working for supply of uninterrupted power supply to Berhampur. "We have already taken up the task and hope to ensure 24X7 power supply within a year," he added.